The Constipation Epidemic

Almost everyone experiences temporary constipation at some point in their lives. Chronic constipation is another situation altogether. Chronic constipation is characterized by having hard, dry and difficult to pass stools and/or having less than three bowel movements per week.

Chronic constipation has been linked to a number of other, more serious health problems, including:

• Diverticulitis
• Kidney disease
• Colorectal and gastric cancer
• Ischemic colitis
• Parkinson's disease

Causes of Chronic Constipation:

1. A lack of beneficial gut microbes

2. The excessive or chronic use of laxatives

3. Having chronic dehydration

Risk Factors of Chronic Constipation:

1. A lack of fiber in the diet. A low-fiber diet also makes your intestines more vulnerable to infection. Fiber will promote bulkier, softer stools and help to keep your intestinal walls intact.

2. Certain medications and supplements, such as antidepressants, opioids, antacids, blood pressure medications, diuretics and iron supplements.

3. Frequently ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement

4. A magnesium deficiency

High-Risk Groups For Chronic Constipation:

1. Women, especially during pregnancy or soon after giving birth.

2. Lower-income individuals, who eat more fast food and less fresh fruits and vegetables, which provide fiber for their diets.

3. People who have just had surgery.

4. Certain medical conditions can also affect the ability of your intestinal tract to function normally,

Connections Between Constipation and Your Health:

1. Chronic constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, which can be aggravating and painful.

2. Your colon was designed to hold a few pounds of stool, but when constipated, your colon may hold up to 10 pounds of dry, hard feces. That feces irritates the lining of the colon and produces toxins, while waiting to be eliminated.

3. Chronic constipation can also lead to a tear, which is called an anal fissure, or can also lead to a rectal prolapse, which both can require surgical intervention.

4. Chronic constipation can affect the genital and urinary health of women.

5. Chronic constipation can increase the risk of kidney disease.

6. Chronic constipation increases anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, due to gut bacteria imbalances. This interlinking may also shed light on why chronic constipation is associated with Parkinson's disease.

To Relieve Chronic Constipation:

Laxatives are only a temporary solution. Chronic laxative use can cause a dependency. The best solution is to address your diet.

Processed foods contribute to constipation in a number of ways, so swapping them for whole, fresh foods, including a lot of fiber containing produce is the key. Also, drinking plenty of clean water will help to keep things moving along.

Foods that can help are; leafy greens, avocadoes, fermented vegetables, prunes, radishes, freshly ground flax seed, organic psyllium, beans, olives, olive oil, figs and just about any other fresh produce.

Helpful supplements can include; aloe vera, magnesium supplements, Epsom Salt baths and castor oil.

Squatting and Exercise Can Also Reduce Constipation:

The position you use when going to the bathroom can significantly impact the ease with which you eliminate. In many other areas of the world, people move their bowels while squatting, which produces less strain and requires less force. There are special toilets that can be purchased and installed for this purpose, but many would consider this to be a liability when they go to sell their house.

Regular exercise of the core muscles can also help to reduce chronic constipation.

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